Singapore Day
15 May 2009
By Ariel Yak
As printed in the Straits Times, TODAY, and Channel News Asia
SOME 100 people turned up at Northwestern University (NU) to celebrate Singapore Day on Friday.
Singaporeans studying and living in Chicago travelled to Evanston, Illinois, to attend the event, indulging in local food, traditional games and an opportunity to catch up with fellow Singaporeans. Non-Singaporeans also showed up wanting to learn more about the country.
The crowd was treated to authentic Singaporean food like chicken rice, laksa and kaya toast. Other dishes included Roti Prata, Nasi Lemak, Milo and Teh Tarik. Packages of Prima pastes and bottles of kaya sponsored by Prima Taste and Ya Kun were specially shipped over from Singapore for the event.
The entertainment for the day included videos showcasing Singapore and a ‘Singapore Conversation Box’ sharing information about the Singapore culture. Contact Singapore sponsored Singapore factsheets and brochures that were also distributed to everyone at the event.
Traditional games booth with games like Chapteh and Pepsi-cola, however, stole the show, bringing back bittersweet memories of childhood for many.
The event , which was organised by the Northwestern University Singaporeans and Friends (NUSAF) club, with the help of the Malaysian student association Cilipadi and the NU Multicultural Student Affairs Unit, was the first of its kind at the university.
Ms Stephanie Tsjim, president of NUSAF, declaring the event a ’success’, said: ‘With the community here, it is sweet to know that we have found our Home away from Home.’
